USU football: Aggies 'up and down' in first day of practice

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Logan • True freshman wide receiver JoJo Natson  all 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds of him  impressed his veteran Utah State teammates on Friday with his speed and an ability to operate in the open field.

Safety Cameron Sanders, who spent most of 2011 in coach Gary Andersen's doghouse, became the player of the day with two interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.

As for the rest of the Aggies?

"It was up and down," Andersen said. "I thought the quarterbacks threw the ball average. So that stood out in a negative way, I guess."

USU held its first practice of fall camp on Friday afternoon. And while there were highlights, such as Chuck Jacobs making a few dazzling catches, and the emergence of Sanders, there were also missteps, like true freshman Kelvin Lee fumbling twice.

The practice, which lasted just more than two hours, included a large scrimmage session, and the first glimpse of Chuckie Keeton and his competition, Adam Kennedy, both of whom started for half a season last year.

"I didn't throw the ball as well as I wanted to," Keeton said. "But I think that's just because of the first day. I think we will all get better as practice goes along. We did some good things out there today."

Sophomore safety Brian Suite had an injury of note, coming up limping after trying to defend on a Keeton pass through the middle. He collided with McKade Brady, came off the field and was held out of the remainder of practice as a precaution.

Also, Andersen announced after practice that linebacker Parker Hausknecht has left the team for personal reasons, although the former Alta High star will remain in school.

With the Aggies in helmets only for the first few days, Andersen said he couldn't make a true evaluation on his interior lines. He did, however, like the vision and the explosion shown by his running backs, even singling out Lee, who came to Utah State just a week ago from Mainland High in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Friday's highlight • Cameron Sanders comes up with two interceptions and returns one for a touchdown.

The low point • Kelvin Lee fumbles twice in his first practice.

Saturday's schedule • The Aggies will practice from 2:15-4:15 p.m.

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